First pitch: Astros hand ball to Lyles with Cubs series on line

CHICAGO — Jordan Lyles has a chance Sunday to hand the Astros a series win against the Cubs.

The club’s best pitcher the last six weeks will face Chicago righthander Jeff Samardzija (4-7, 3.35 ERA) during a 1:20 p.m. interleague contest at Wrigley Field. The teams split the initial two games of the series.

The righthanded Lyles is 3-0 with a 1.61 ERA in his last seven starts. Lyles has allowed two runs or less in the outings, the longest streak in the American League, and his ERA is second in the AL during the span.

With center fielder Brandon Barnes resting, Justin Maxwell will play center and bat leadoff. It’s the first time Maxwell has hit at the top spot this season. He joked he last hit leadoff during the ninth inning of the Astros’ 4-3 win Saturday against the Cubs.

Rookie Mark Krauss will make his first MLB start in right field.

“It’s an awesome feeling. It’s a great feeling to have,” said Krauss, whose family stuck around for Sunday’s game. “(Manager) Bo (Porter) had the confidence to throw me back out there and I’m going to just do what I can to help this team win. That’s all that matters when you’re at this level.”